Wyoming’s senior U.S. Senator, and longtime orthopedic surgeon, John Barrasso, is once again sounding the alarm on federal health-care policy. In new remarks from Washington, Barrasso criticized what he calls the “one-size-fits-all Obamacare disaster,” arguing that recent Democratic proposals would deepen the problems Wyoming families already face with rising premiums and limited insurance choices.
According to Barrasso, the Affordable Care Act has not lived up to its promise of affordability. Premiums, he says, have “doubled,” deductibles have climbed, and insurance provider options have narrowed, all while major insurance companies have seen their stock prices surge. His latest comments follow a push by Democrats to extend roughly $83 billion in federal subsidies designed to stabilize the marketplace.
What Barrasso Says Is the Real Issue
Barrasso argues that the current subsidy system funnels enormous amounts of taxpayer money directly to insurance companies rather than reducing real-world costs for patients. He has repeatedly criticized what he calls the “Biden COVID Bonus,” which he says inflated subsidies for insurers without addressing the underlying structural issues.
“The money isn’t going to patients,” Barrasso said. “It’s going to the insurance companies. People deserve control over their own health care, not a system that props up corporations while families pay more.”
Why This Matters in Wyoming
Wyomingites know the health-care landscape here is different from more populated states. Fewer insurance options, higher premiums, and the challenges of rural access have long shaped local opinion on federal health policy. Any shift in subsidies, or lack of reform, will ripple through the state more sharply than most.
Barrasso says continuing the current approach maintains the status quo, while true reform would give patients more authority and flexibility in choosing coverage. Democrats, meanwhile, argue the subsidies help stabilize markets and keep premiums from rising further.
What Happens Next
The Senate is expected to vote on the subsidy extension soon, setting the stage for another round of national debate, one that will have real consequences for families, businesses, and health-care providers across the Cowboy State.
As always, Antlers Arch will continue tracking how decisions in Washington play out here at home in Wyoming.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
